Marking its 70th anniversary, Lotus held a spectacular event to commemorate the significant
milestone of founder Colin Chapman’s first Lotus, built in 1948.
The home of Lotus in Hethel hosted 8,000 Lotus owners and enthusiasts from all over the
world, as well as 1,600 Lotus cars of all eras. From the Team Lotus F1 race cars to the rally
Sunbeam Lotus, Lotus Cortina all the way to the present line-up of Evora, Exige and Elise,
there were Lotus road and competition cars of all ages present.
Group Lotus Plc’s CEO Mr. Feng Qingfeng presented the company’s vision to the crowds
present and viewers online. As well as leading the anniversary track procession, he also
personally revealed two bespoke Lotus Exclusive Evora GT410s, both in heritage
livery.Speaking at the event, Group Lotus Plc’s CEO, Mr. Feng Qingfeng said: “Today has
been an amazing day of celebration. To have met so many Lotus owners and enthusiasts,
and understand their passion for our brand is truly inspiring. We are committed to our home
in Norfolk, and there’s no place better to gather and remember what Lotus stands for and
what makes it so special as a leading automotive marque. To have so many of our cars
return home has really made the day, and I’d like to thank everyone for their help and
support, both now and in the future, as we grow and develop the business.”
Lotus’ 70th anniversary in numbers
For the first time ever, fans from all over the world were able to watch online via the live
streams on YouTube as well as Facebook Live and other social media channels. With over
8,000 viewers catching all the action on the web, a further 8,000 were there on the sold out
day to celebrate Lotus and its 70th anniversary.
The live stream and social channels used #Lotus70 to share top moments throughout the
day, and both the YouTube chat and Facebook Live feeds were filled with anecdotes and
praise for Lotus during its 70th anniversary event.

Largest gathering of Lotus cars ever seen
The day saw the largest ever collection of Lotus cars assembled. With 1,600 cars arriving to
the Hethel site, it was a special way to mark the 70th anniversary.
The British marque invited owners to showcase some of their pride and joys to celebrate.
From a heritage Lotus Mark VI to the latest Lotus Evora GT430s, ex-rally Sunbeam Lotus’
and immaculate Lotus Cortinas, there was something for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.
Seven decades of Lotus on track
Presenting some of the racing team’s legendary F1 cars, responsible for Lotus’ 13 world
championships: including seven constructors and six drivers totalling 81 race victories,
Classic Team Lotus wowed the crowds with demonstration runs, allowing enthusiasts to
witness the sights and the sounds of the cars in action.
Highlights included the DFV-powered Lotus 49 designed by Colin Chapman and Maurice
Philippe for the 1967 F1 season and the famed 1978 Lotus 79, the first F1 car to take full
advantage of ground effect aerodynamics, not to mention the iconic 1966 Lotus 43.

The audience in the grandstands also cheered as they saw Lotus’ professional drivers
smoke up the tarmac in an Evora GT410 Sport, an Exige Sport 410 and the Elise Sport
220. With the addition of smoke bombs in Lotus green and yellow, it was a fitting spectacle
for the crowds and online viewers.
The Jim Clark Special Edition Evora GT410 Sport
Also on display was the 100,000th Lotus ever built. Previously announced at Goodwood
Festival of Speed, the Jim Clark Trust’s Lotus Evora GT410 Sport was showcased during

the anniversary event. Created by Lotus Exclusive, the Evora GT410 Sport had been
reimagined in the livery of Jim Clark’s famous Lotus Elan. Finished in red and silver, visitors
were able to buy tickets to win the car in a special raffle on the day. More details on how to
win can be found at www.jimclarklotus.com.
700 cars lap the Hethel track to commemorate 70 years of Lotus
Celebrating 70 years of Lotus, the British marque hosted the largest parade of Lotus sports
cars ever seen on the Hethel track. A finishing flourish to a special day, 700 cars and their
owners were part of the anniversary parade that will go down in Lotus’ history books.

Poignant for all Lotus owners that took part, the procession included the very latest models
as well as the historically important Lotus Mark VII and even a Sunbeam Lotus and a Lotus
Carlton. Led by Group Lotus Plc’s CEO Mr. Feng Qingfeng, in a Lotus Eleven driven by
Clive Chapman, the car which was once owned by his father, Colin Chapman. The Eleven
of Qingfeng/Chapman was followed by an Evora GT430 and a GT410 Sport in hot pursuit.

Lotus Bikes and owners’ clubs
Amidst all the four-wheeled fun, Lotus’ two wheel achievements were recognised with a
display from the 110 Lotus Bike Club, showing both the Lotus Engineering 108 and 110
bikes in action.

Lotus owners’ clubs were also on hand with static displays of their own. Showcasing some
of the most incredible and sought-after models of Lotus’ past and present line-up, 14
owners clubs and members from all over the world were part of the display.
In addition, a secret concours competition took place with online influencer Sam Fane,
otherwise known as Seen Through Glass. Sam, in secret, judged all of the cars on site. A
tricky decision, Sam finally awarded a Sunbeam Lotus of Fréquelin/Todt fame as his
winner.
Lotus legends
Joining the 8,000 attendees on site were a range of Lotus legends – the people that made
Lotus what it is today – all with their own stories to tell on the live broadcast feed.
Interviewed throughout the day, viewers saw famous Lotus alumni such as Mike Kimberley,
Bob Dance, as well as Elisa Artioli, all telling anecdotes and their own Lotus memories. It
gave viewers online and attendees on the day a glimpse into Lotus’ past through the eyes
of those who created its history.

Major developments planned for Lotus’ Hethel HQ
• Customer Experience Centre, Heritage Centre and Museum all
proposed
• Renovation of original buildings including Chapman’s office
• A destination to experience the brand’s history and heritage
• Home to Lotus for over 50 years, development ensures Hethel remains
the heart of Lotus
As the company prepares for the culmination of its 70th celebrations, Lotus has unveiled the latest stage
in its investment plan, which will see the 100 acre site undergo extensive development and renovation
work.
With a new Customer Experience Centre, Heritage Centre and Museum designed by architects
Feilden+Mawson and submitted for planning, the British marque has outlined a bold vision for its future
at the famous Hethel facility, its home for over 50 years. The plans were unveiled just ahead of the
company’s 70th celebrations in Norfolk, marking the anniversary of the founding of Lotus by engineering
genius Colin Chapman.
Combining the creation of brand new facilities and the renovation of some of Hethel’s historic sections,
the scope of the work perfectly reflects the company’s ambitions going forward. The planning application
also includes a spacious, modern new restaurant catering for all staff and visitors to the Lotus site.

Speaking at the unveiling of the plans, Group Lotus’ chief executive officer, Mr. Feng Qingfeng said:
“The progress of these developments at Hethel demonstrates our commitment to Lotus and its bright
future. Hethel is rightly the centre of the brand and what better place for customers, aspiring owners and
staff to experience our values? Hethel is, and will always be, the heart of Lotus and our plans are the
next step in readying the site for the next 50 years.”
The future of Hethel
Dynamic and modern in their design, the plans for Hethel are the next chapter in the story of the famous
site. In 1966 Lotus’ founder Colin Chapman reimagined the old WW2 airbase as the company’s
headquarters and manufacturing facility that have evolved into the Lotus of today, encompassing all
aspects of the modern sports car company.

The new purpose-built Customer Experience Centre will be located alongside the pitlane of the famous
test track to create a focal point at Hethel and afford fantastic views across the entire site. Showcasing
the Lotus brand and its range of vehicles, it will provide a destination for customers as they develop the
specification for, and later return to take delivery of, their vehicles. With a two-storey display area, the
building will include private vehicle specification salons and delivery areas, as well as preparation and
service facilities.

An impressive Heritage Centre and Museum will also be created, incorporating the site’s original main
office and executive suites. This extensive renovation and conversion work will provide a modern space,
fit to display a wide range of Lotus vehicles and exhibits. Bringing the original executive suite, including
Colin Chapman’s office, to life, the Heritage Centre and Museum will allow visitors and staff to
experience the history and heritage at the heart of Lotus.

Alongside the Heritage Centre and Museum, a modern new restaurant facility will extend forward from
the existing buildings to create an impressive, and uniform façade. With views over the garden areas of
the site, it will provide hospitality facilities for a wide range of activities.
The site’s existing clubhouse (the control tower of the former airbase) will be extensively renovated as
part of the plans. Located near the test track, it will incorporate a new roof terrace and modern facilities
for track-based activities and customer or staff events.

As well as the new buildings, the development of Hethel will see extensive enhancements and the
landscaping of the site, including improvements to access, parking areas for staff and security.

]]>1985Fri, 28 Sep 2018 12:56:01 +0000Finding the very first – help locate the Lotus Mark Ihttps://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/index.html/mloc-lotus-news/group-lotus-news/finding-the-very-first-%E2%80%93-help-locate-the-lotus-mark-i-r1984/

• Campaign to find founder Colin Chapman’s first car
• Lotus Mark I built in London in 1948
• Whereabouts unknown for over 60 years
• The inception of Lotus’ performance-orientated approach
• Search marks 70 years since Chapman’s founding principles
Calling on enthusiasts, collectors and car hunters worldwide, Lotus needs your help in tracking
down the long-lost Lotus Mark I, the first car built by company founder Colin Chapman.

As the British marque continues its 70th celebrations, it wants fans from around the world to pick up
the trail of the most elusive Lotus ever – the competition car that the young engineer hand-built in a
small London garage owned by his then girlfriend’s parents. Overcoming the standard car’s
limitation Chapman applied innovative approaches to improve its performance in challenging trials
competitions.
Despite its existence being well documented, the current whereabouts of the Mark I remain a
mystery. Built by Chapman, with the help of friends and his girlfriend (who later became his wife),
Hazel, he entered a number of events in 1948 with immediate success. However, Colin was
constantly innovating, and was soon hard at work on the Mark II. The first car was sold in
November 1950 but, from there, the car’s trail goes cold. Despite much research over the years, its
whereabouts have never been established.
Joining Lotus in the hunt for the origin of its species is the son of the company’s founder, and
director of Classic Team Lotus, Clive Chapman. “The Mark I is the holy grail of Lotus’ history,”
explains Clive. “It’s the first time that my father was able to put his theories for improved
performance into practice when designing and building a car. To locate this landmark Lotus, as we
celebrate the 70th anniversary, would be a monumental achievement. We want fans to take this
opportunity to look in every garage, shed, barn and lock up they’re allowed to. It’s even possible
that the Mark I was shipped from the UK, and we’d love to know if it survives in another country.”

The birth of the Lotus legend
In 1948 Colin Chapman built his first competition car, following his own theories for improved
performance. Chapman’s way of thinking and his principles remain as relevant today as they were
70 years ago and his ethos still allows the company to optimise mass and aerodynamics in order to
maximise performance and handling.
Covering everything from suspension configuration and layout, making sure that ground clearance
was not compromised, improvements included reinforcing the chassis, cladding the body in
lightweight bespoke panels and ensuring that components frequently damaged in competition
could be quickly reattached. Appling theories learnt from this formal training as an engineer, Colin
was already developing the principles that would go on to define Lotus cars of the future. One
notable decision was to extend the rear of the car, and include two spare wheels. This allowed for
the better allocation of ballast, distributing weight within the car to maximise traction for each event.
In a lock-up borrowed from Hazel’s parents, Colin re-imagined and re-engineered the Austin Seven
to create the first Lotus. Built by hand, and with Hazel (his then-girlfriend) helping where needed,
he completed the car in the spring of 1948 and immediately entered it in competitive trials. With
Hazel in the passenger seat and Colin behind the wheel, they picked up two class awards in the
car’s first events.
Originally finished in bare, unpolished alloy, the car was then painted white, before repainted in
red. A restless engineer, Chapman was soon working on the next car, the Mark II, designed using
the lessons learned from his first and the experience gain through the competitions he’d entered.
As a result, an advert placed in Motor Sport magazine, describing an Austin Seven Special fourseater
sports-cum-trials car saw the Mark I sold in November 1950. Chapman received £135 for
the car, but the only thing now known about the new owner was that they were based in the north
of England.
Over the years many enthusiasts have looked for the car, but to no avail. Lotus has previously
called on experts to help locate the lost vehicle but, as the company gears up for the highpoint of
its anniversary celebrations at the end of September, it’s hoped that a renewed search, on a global
scale, will help track down the landmark car.

Lotus Cars shows its commitment to the UAE with the official opening of the brand-new Lotus showroom in Dubai. The Lotus Dubai facility on Sheikh Zayed Road is the result of a partnership with Adamas Motors and offers new and existing customers the opportunity to experience the famous brand first hand in the heart of Dubai.
Officially opened by Marcus Blake, Commercial Director, Group Lotus plc and His Excellency Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the ceremony included esteemed guests, key media and senior management from across the Lotus operations.

Marcus Blake, Commercial Director, Group Lotus plc; His Excellency Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Karl Hamer, Chief Executive Officer of Adamas Motors LLC; Jonathan Stretton, Regional Director of Lotus Cars Middle East
The new 5000 square feet, capable of showcasing up to 10 cars, opened its doors with the presentation of the range of Lotus vehicles carefully selected and optioned to suit the aspirations of customers in the UAE. On display at the inaugural event was the limited-edition Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 with 3 of the worldwide volume of 25 units making their way to the GCC; the only Lotus 3-Eleven 430 in the Middle East finished in the famous Lotus black and gold livery; and the internationally acclaimed and fastest Lotus production vehicle ever, the Lotus Evora GT430.

Marcus Blake, Commercial Director, Group Lotus plc commented, “On behalf of Group Lotus, I welcome Adamas Motors to the Lotus brand, in our 70th Anniversary year. Adamas Motors joins Lotus at a very exciting point in the company’s history. Our desirable, benchmark and handcrafted sports cars are consistently being awarded five-star accolades from media around the world. The Lotus business is also growing globally and expanding into new markets so welcoming even more discerning drivers behind the wheel of this exclusive and British brand.
“The UAE is an important market for Lotus and it has even greater potential for the future. With Lotus Cars Middle East and Adamas Motors, we’re looking forward to welcoming both our current and new customers in the region to the Lotus brand.”
Mr Karl Hamer, Chief Executive Officer of Adamas Motors said, “We are extremely proud to be appointed as the new Lotus Cars dealer for the UAE. The Lotus DNA fits perfectly to Adamas Motors’ business platform, specializing in prestige and performance vehicles and being committed to providing UAE customers with an unrivalled motoring and ownership experience.
“With Lotus now in its 70th year, I reflect on my personal interest in Lotus since I was a young man, growing up watching James Bond movies and the true days on Formula 1, so I am so pleased and excited to be working with this wonderful brand in the UAE today. Our showroom design and ambience can be likened to that of a boutique hotel, where our customers can come and enjoy a coffee and hold business meetings, we want it to be a place that UAE motorists can enjoy. Relationship is everything and we will ensure that our customers, manufacturers and our employees experience a business they are proud to be associated with.”
Jonathan Stretton, Regional Director of Lotus Cars Middle East commented, “Dubai is an important market in the Middle East and partnering with Adamas Motors in this impressive facility further presents our commitment to supporting the Lotus brand and developing our presence in the region. Adamas Motors management has a great deal of expertise in the sports and performance car sector and much experience in the GCC. The investment in this new Lotus Dubai showroom and the focus from Adamas Motors on offering exceptional customer service means that Lotus is set to create growth and significant customer loyalty in the UAE today, and as the new era for Lotus unfolds.”

The new Lotus Dubai showroom includes a configuration room, allowing customers to plan their Lotus vehicle colour and trim selections in a comfortable and private space, alongside a customer lounge where guests can relax and enjoy a coffee made by a professional barista.
Lotus customers in Dubai will be able to service their cars at a new solus Lotus, state-of-the-art workshop facility in Al Quoz, with customers welcomed to the facility in person or invited to use a performance vehicle transporter specifically designed to safely carry the range of Lotus vehicles.
Lotus is to be presented by Adamas Motors in the capital of the UAE, with the launch of the first ever Lotus showroom in Abu Dhabi due to be announced in the coming months.

Group Lotus plc is delighted to announce the appointment of Phil Popham as Senior Vice
President – Commercial Operations for Group Lotus and CEO – Lotus Sports Cars, effective from
01 October 2018. Phil will report to Group Lotus plc CEO, Mr Feng Qingfeng.

Phil joins Lotus from Sunseeker International where he held the role of CEO for four years.
Prior to Sunseeker, he was part of the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) executive team for 9 years with
global responsibility for commercial operations.
The arrival of Phil Popham is the latest in a series of high level appointments at Lotus, from both
the global automotive industry and from within Lotus. A new business and operating structure has
been put in place and the Lotus business is now set for the next stage of its future growth and
global expansion.
Mr Feng Qingfeng welcomes Phil to Lotus, “I am delighted that Phil has joined Lotus at this
important time in our 70 year history. We are growing the Lotus business not only at our
Headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk but also worldwide so the foundations are laid to become a
globally competitive brand and a well recognised leader in the sports car market.”
Phil Popham said, “I have spent my career working with, and have a passion for famous British
luxury, high tech and pioneering brands and Lotus, with its amazing history, definitely fits into that
category. I am looking forward to being part of the team that will drive the substantial future growth
of the Lotus business.”